Born in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 15, 1929, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. grew up in a time when people of different races were separated in much of the United States. This separation was called “segregation."

In segregated states, African-Americans were not allowed to use the same drinking fountains as white people. They could go to movies, but they were forced to use a different door and were only allowed to sit in the balcony area. If they wanted to ride a publicbus, they had to sit in the back.

Until 1957, even publicschools remained segregated. Dr. King attended segregated public elementary and high schools. He graduated from Morehouse College, an all-black college in Atlanta, in 1948.

Dr. King's father and grandfather were both preachers, and he knew that he wanted to follow in their footsteps. He attended Crozer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania and later, Boston University, where he received his doctorate in 1955.

After graduating, he began leading a church and married a woman named Coretta Scott. Martin and Coretta moved to the South, where prejudice was very strong in the most segregated states in the United States.

In 1955, police arrested an African-American woman named Rosa Parks when she refused to give up her seat on a bus for a white passenger. Dr. King was outraged by Rosa's arrest, so he organized a boycott of the publicbus system in Montgomery, Alabama. The next year, the U.S. Supreme Court banned segregation on public buses.

For more than 10 years, Dr. King campaigned against segregation, prejudice, and racial inequality. Over his lifetime, he gave more than 2,500 speeches, gaining followers and supporters around the country and the world.

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We hope you enjoyed learning more about the life of Dr. King! Keep learning by checking out the following activities with a friend or family member:

Of all of Dr. King's speeches, one of the most famous was delivered to a quarter of a million people in 1963 on the Mall in Washington, DC. You can listen to Dr. King's “I Have a Dream" speech here. In one of the most famous lines, Dr. King said, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." Do you think his dream has been fulfilled yet? Why or why not? Discuss this question with an adult friend or family member.

What dreams do you have for the future? Think about the modern world. What problems or issues exist today? How do you think these problems can be solved? Write about your dream for the future and how you can improve the world during your lifetime. If you need help getting started, take a look at some other students' “I Have a Dream" poems for inspiration.

Did you know that there are nearly a million documents associated with the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.? Visit The King Center's Archive to look through some of these documents. In their pages, you will get a more in-depth understanding of Dr. King the father, the leader, the preacher, and the speaker. What interesting facts will you uncover? Share what you learn with a friend or family member!

Wonderopolis

Weird

Wonderopolis

May 4, 2017

Well, it is pretty significant for our country's history and for the individuals who have been directly affected by discrimination, some of which is still going on today. Thanks for checking out this Wonder with us!

antoniah

Wonderopolis

Feb 1, 2017

Well, that's not an easy question to answer, Antoniah. Humanity is both capable of great goodness and great evil. Change can happen when people take a stand, but things often change slowly. Thanks for checking out this Wonder and WONDERing about such a heavy, but important topic.

Lex

?????????????

Wonderopolis

Jan 23, 2017

Good question, Lex. Dr. King was killed because, sadly, there were people who strongly disagreed with his pursuit to bring civil rights to African American people. It's hard to wrap your head around and it might be a good idea to do a little more research on the topic. Thanks for asking the question, Lex!

Wonderopolis

madi

Wonderopolis

Jan 18, 2017

Good question, Madi! The article mentions Rosa Parks to show that Dr. King was upset by how she was treated. This was at least in part a motivation for Dr. King to move forward in his pursuit of civil rights for African Americans.

Ann

Wonderopolis

Jan 17, 2017

James Earl Ray was the man who shot him. We encourage you to do a little more research on this. It is an interesting topic, although a very sad one to research. We think one way to honor Dr. King's legacy is to learn as much as we can about his life and what he devoted his life to.

Emma

Wonderopolis

Jan 17, 2017

Actually, James Earl Ray did go to prison for assassinating Dr. King. There are some interesting conspiracy theories out there, though, if you want to do some more exploring. Thanks for commenting, Emma!

Isaiah

Wonderopolis

Jan 13, 2017

Good question, Isaiah! James Earl Ray is the man who shot Dr. King, although if you do a little research, you will find some conspiracy theories that say otherwise. It's a pretty interesting Wonder Journey, if you're up for it. Good luck!

Wonderopolis

Hasan.G

Dec 12, 2016

In segregated states, African and Americans were not allowed to use the same drinking fountains as white people. They could go to movies, but they were forced to use a different door and were only allowed to sit in the balcony area. If they wanted to ride a public bus they had to sit in the back.this is what I learend from this story

Wonderopolis

Wonderopolis

Jan 7, 2016

Hi, anna! Unfortunately assassinated because of his beliefs. We encourage you to keep learning about Martin Luther King Jr. at your library and online. He is a WONDERful Historical hero. Check out Wonder #1119: Who’s Your Historical Hero? Have fun WONDERing! :)

Madeline

Wonderopolis

Feb 5, 2015

Hi Madeline! There were lots of people gathered for his speech. It was a great day in our country's history. Maybe you could do more research about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at your library. Happy WONDERing! :)

Brigit

Wonderopolis

booboo

May 13, 2014

Dear Wonderopolis,
We all have a dream. I would like to be like Martin Luther King Jr. That will be so cool always standing up for people who are getting treated mean and People, saying mean stuff. Where do you get all your information Wonderopolis? You guys are smart people of course. I think that Martin Luther King Jr. was a great man. Someday I will be like him just someday I will.
From,
Booboo

Wonderopolis

May 13, 2014

WONDERful, Booboo! Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was an amazing man. He is someone we should all want to be more like. We would call him an historical hero. We have another Wonder about historical heroes that you may be interested in checking out. Wonder #1119: Who’s Your Historical Hero?
Just like you, Wonderopolis loves to learn new things. The best way to learn new information is to read, read, read. We hope that you will do the same, Wonder Friend! Enjoy! :-)

liberty

Wonderopolis

Jan 27, 2014

We are so glad that you enjoyed this passage and video, Liberty! We're unsure about what that man was thinking, but we think everyone should remember the Golden Rule. Thanks for WONDERing with us, Liberty! :-)

Wonderopolis

Max streibich

Wonderopolis

Sep 20, 2013

Super question, Max! While there is no record of how many folks attended that powerful speech, historians estimate that approximately 200,000 people joined together to listen to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. What a cool thing to Wonder about! :)

marc

Wonderopolis

Feb 11, 2013

Hey there, Wonder Friend Marc! Check out an excerpt from this Wonder... your answer is below!
"In 1955, police arrested an African-American woman named Rosa Parks when she refused to give up her seat on a bus for a white passenger. Dr. King was outraged by Rosa’s arrest, so he organized a boycott of the public bus system in Montgomery, Alabama. The next year, the U.S. Supreme Court banned segregation on public buses.
For more than 10 years, Dr. King campaigned against segregation, prejudice and racial inequality. Over his lifetime, he gave more than 2,500 speeches, gaining followers and supporters around the country and the world.
He became a leader in the civil rights movement. And in 1964, Dr. King also won the Nobel Peace Prize." :)
On April 4, 1968, Dr. King was shot and killed by an assassin while standing on the balcony outside his motel room in Memphis, Tennessee.

jonathan

Wonderopolis

Jan 17, 2017

That is certainly one of the conspiracy theories out there, Jonathan. They are very interesting to read. Ultimately, the reader will have to decide if there is enough compelling evidence to make these theories true, but we think it's worth the Wonder Journey either way.

Wonderopolis

Jan 25, 2013

Hi there, Mrs. Piccioni's Second Grade Class! Thanks for WONDERing with us today! Martin Luther King Jr. is known for his compelling speeches-- they helped him convey his passion for Civil Rights. He was a leader and activist, and unfortunately there were people who were not in favor of Dr. King put an end to his life. James Earl Ray shot Dr. King while we was giving a speech on April 4, 1968.
Thanks for WONDERing about Dr. King and his mission! :)

gaby1234

Wonderopolis

Jan 23, 2013

Hi there, Gaby1234! We agree, Dr. King was an amazing activist and leader-- we are glad you're WONDERing about his legacy! Dr. King was assassinated by a man named James Earl Ray on April 4, 1968. Thank you for sharing your comment! :)

annabelle

Wonderopolis

Jan 23, 2013

Hi there, Annabelle! We're glad you have been WONDERing about the life and history of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We do know that James Earl Ray assassinated Dr. King in Memphis, TN while he was speaking to a crowd. We Wonder what you learned about Dr. King and his activism? :)

Jackson

Wonderopolis

Jan 22, 2013

Hi there, Jackson! Thanks for WONDERing about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with us! Dr. King and his wife, Correta Scott King, had four children. All four children followed in the footsteps of their parents-- they were civil rights activists, too! :)

Nicole

Wonderopolis

Jan 18, 2013

We are glad you've been WONDERing about Dr. King with us, Nicole. He was an incredible leader and activist. You make a great point, Nicole-- the world would be a different place if it weren't for him. Thanks so very much for WONDERing with us! :)

booboo

Wonderopolis

Thanks, I watched the video. It told me so much about him and I know that he knew what he was talking about. Because of him, now we have laws that will help all of us. He changed the word fair. He changed it to no violence and always say what is in your mind.
Someday everybody will appreciate all of the work he did.

Wonderopolis

Feb 2, 2012

What a really awesome comment, Yamel! We think it's great that you shared what you learned by visiting this Wonder about Dr. King. We also hope that someday everyone WILL appreciate all of the work he did! :-)

Wonderopolis

Jan 20, 2015

Thanks for commenting, desiree! It was a sad day when he was assassinated. He was an influential person of the civil rights movement. Read more about civil rights in Wonder #470: What Is a Civil Right? Happy WONDERing!

Wonderopolis

Feb 2, 2012

Thanks for visiting this Wonder of the Day®, Yamel! We appreciate your comment and encourage you to learn more about Dr. King by visiting past Wonder #106 - Who Was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.? Here is a link that will take you right to it: http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/who-was-dr-martin-luther-king-jr/.